Entrepreneur Ally Teixeira will partner with Ben Van Leeuwen—founder of the eponymously named ice cream brand—to help her launch vegan company Karma Ice Kreme.

On this week’s episode of long-running reality show Deal or No Deal, contestant Ally Teixeira secured $108,000 to fund her vegan ice cream business Karma Ice Kreme. During the introduction segment to the aptly named “Ice Cream Dreams” episode, host Howie Mandel revealed that his wife does not consume dairy. “Our ice cream is perfect for her,” Teixeira responded. As the vegan entrepreneur progressed through the show, opening suitcases and haggling with the “banker” in hopes of winning $1,000,000, she was joined on stage by her rescue greyhound dog Bellini and Karma Ice Kreme co-founder Jeanette Murillo for support. During the final segment, Teixeira was offered the sum of $108,000 to end the game, combined with a surprise offer from an audience member. Ben Van Leeuwen, the founder of the popular Van Leeuwen ice cream brand, emerged from the audience and offered Teixeira his mentorship, which she accepted, along with the cash prize. The actress and entrepreneur—who also operates the “Vegan on a Jet Plane” YouTube travel show—plans to use the funding and support to develop seven to eight ice cream flavors for retail and later, open a brick-and-mortar scoop shop in Pasadena, CA.

Want more of today’s best plant-based news, recipes, and lifestyle?
Get our award-winning magazine!